j64 THE SPIDER. 



vities upon the back, hj which it may enfilj be diftin- 

 guifliedf. Between the nails of the feet there iffues a 

 clammy liquor, by which it is enabled to climb up gl^fs 

 and other fmooth furfaces. The web cf this fpecies is 

 conflrucled of much finer threads. It is faid to poflefs 

 iix mufcular nipples, each having a thoufand orifices for 

 letting out the tljreads J. If this be true, each filament 

 of the fpider's web mufl confift of fix thoufand threads, 

 which, when united, are fcarcely vifible to the naked 

 eye. 



To this tribe is commonly referred the tarantula, the 

 the largeft fpider known in Europe ; but rendered dill 

 more remarkable by the extraordinary qualities which 

 credulity has afcribed to it. It is three quarters of an 

 inch in length, the body covered all over with down, 

 generally of an olive dufky brown. The external parts 

 refemble thofe of the reft of the genus ; It has eight eyes 

 and as many legs; the front armed with ferrated pincers. 



The bite of the tarantula is faid, but without founda- 

 tion, to be attended with fatal confeqnences. After vio- 

 lent pains and ficknefs, the unhappy vi£lim is feized with 

 an involuntary laughter; dances without intermiffion, ex- 

 hibiting all the fymptoms of infanity. At the return of 

 the feafon in which he was bit, the patient's madnefs 

 begins agaia to appear ; and thefc troublefome relapfes, 

 after having recurred for feveral years, at laft terminate 

 in death. 



Mufic and dancing, as the fidlion proceeds, is the only 

 remedy for this dreadful malad3% The mufician begins 

 to play a tune famous for the cure, flow at firft, but in- 



creafing 



f Fauna S\Tecica. \ Vide Reaumur, Ba'but, and Goldfmitb. 



